Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 123

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 123
USA > Ohio > Ottawa County > Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 123

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

South Front street, one on the West side, known as the Jackson & Tschumy block, and one on the East side, which is occupied by his factory. He is a mem- ber of several societies-the National Union, the Red Cross, the Royal Ar- canum and the F. & A. M. He married Miss Mary Sharp, of Fremont, Ohio, and has three daughters-Lulu, Nellie and Edith.

J OHN FLORO, a retired farmer and probably the oldest living resident of Erie township, Ottawa county, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Oc- tober 7, 1810. He is a son of David and Anna (Leonard) Floro, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia, and in whose family were twelve children, of whom five are yet living, namely: John E., subject of this sketch; Joseph, who is residing in Carroll township, Ottawa county; David, whose home is in Oak Harbor, Ohio; Jesse, a resident of Oklahoma; and Lu- cilla, wife of Abraham Stouts, a resident of Benton township, Ottawa county.

When our subject was only three years of age his parents removed to Clark county, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and received such limited ed- ucational privileges as were afforded the children of those early days in the old log schoolhouse with its slab seats and other primitive furniture. In 1832 he took up his residence in Erie township, Ottawa county, and for sixty-three years has been one of its honored and valued citizens; to-day he is one of the few remaining pioneers of the county who have been spared to see the primeval forest trans- formed into cultivated farms with their fields of waving grain, while substantial and imposing residences have taken the place of the rude log cabins.

Mr. Floro has been twice married. In April, 1843, in Erie township, he wedded Miss Lydia Deer, daughter of

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Lyman and Melinda Deer, who were na- tives of New York, and early settlers of Erie township, Ottawa county. By this union were born twelve children, and seven still survive, a brief record of them being as follows: Anna, born Angust 18, 1844, is now the wife of Daniel Sinclair, of Carroll township, Ottawa county; David, who was born January 18, 1846, is residing in Carroll township; Ezekiel, who was born December 10, 1847, is a resident farmer of Benton township, Ot- tawa county; Isaac M., born April 28, 1848, makes his home in Erie township; Jacob, born August 28, 1857, is located in Lacarne; Esther Ann, born January 1, 1859, is the wife of Henry Fink, a farmer of Carroll township; John E., born February 15, 1861, is living on the old home farm with his father. The mother of this family passed away March 4, 1864, and on November 3, 1864, Mr. Floro was united in marriage with Eliza- beth Williams, whose parents were resi- dents of Carroll township, Ottawa coun- ty. Two children came to the second marriage, one now living-Frances, born October 15, 1865.

Mr. Floro efficiently filled the office of justice of the peace for three years, and has been called to other positions of public trust in the township, although he has never been an office seeker. Through- out his entire life he has adhered to the principles of the Democratic party, and is one of its stalwart supporters. He has always been highly esteemed for his sterl- ing worth and strict integrity, and his is an honored old age, in which he is sur- rounded by many friends who respect him in the highest degree.

Jacob Floro, son of this honored pioneer, was born August 28, 1857, and was educated in the district schools of Erie township, where his entire life has been passed. He is numbered among the leading farmers of his locality, and possesses business ability of a high order. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and

he is a member of the Grange. His family attend the United Brethren Church. On July 29, 1882, he was married at Lo- cust Point, Ohio, to Julia Finken, who was born in Carroll township, Ottawa county, January 22, 1861, and is a dangh- ter of Henry and Mary (Bauman) Finken. They have two children-Milton H., born August 20, 1884; and Perinthia Mabel, born April 22, 1894.

JOHN E. FLORO, the youngest son in the family, was born on the old home farm, February 15, 1861, and through his youth attended the district schools of the neighborhood, also aiding in the labors of the farm. He early became familiar with agricultural life in its various departments, and now in his father's de- clining years he manages and operates the old homestead; thus relieving his father of all business care. He was mar- ried in Carroll township, Ottawa county, November 19, 1885, to Mary Ann Bal- lard, who was born February 27, 1867, a daughter of James and Mary M. (Perrey) Ballard. They now have had three chil- dren-Pearl May, born January 29, 1886; Estella, born April 8, 1891; and Harvey D., born February 25, 1893. John E. Floro has served as supervisor of his township for four years, and in his polit- ical faith is a Democrat. A wide-awake and progressive young man, he is devoted to the best interests of the community, and is a representative fariner and popu- lar citizen, both widely and favorably known in Ottawa county.

F RANK O'FARRELL, member of the firm of McSheehy & O'Far- rell, attorneys at law, Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in San- dusky City, Erie Co., Ohio, May 24, 1856, a son of James and Bridget (Conway) O'Farrell.

James O'Farrell was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1824, and died in 1872. Bridget (Conway), his wife, was

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was also born in Tyrone, Ireland, and died in 1881. James O'Farrell came to America in 1840 and located in Phila- delphia, where he was married in 1851. Immediately after marriage the young couple migrated to Sandusky City, Ohio, where Mr. O'Farrell engaged in farming. In 1859 they removed to Scott township, where their deaths occurred at the dates above named. James O'Farrell had a brother, Patrick, who died in Providence, Rhode Island, and he has four sisters there, three of whom are maiden ladies. The mother of Frank O'Farrell has two brothers, Michael and James, who left Philadelphia and were thought to have gone south; but as the rest of the family removed to Ohio they were unable after- ward to find any post office address of each other. The mother of our subject has a sister who married Michael Con- nelly, and they live in Scott township, Sandusky Co, Ohio.

Frank O'Farrell is one of six children, as follows: (1) Mary A., wife of Martin Murphy. (2) John, who lives in Fre- mont, Ohio. (3) Our subject. (4) Rev. Thomas, who died in Baltimore, Md., three months before the date set for his ordination as a Catholic priest; he was a member of the Order of Josephites, who devote their lives to the education and elevation of the negroes in the South. (5) Elizabeth, who married Maurice Cummings, and is now deceased. (6) Patrick Henry, single. Our subject grew to manhood in Sandusky county, and at- tended the district schools. In 1872 he entered the North-Western Ohio Normal School at Republic, Ohio, and taught his first term of school in Montgomery county, that winter. After this he worked his way up, alternating between teaching school and attending college. He taught in all eight terms, and having acquired a high degree of mental discipline, he spent his spare time during the latter period of teaching, in reading law, under the tutor- ship of ffon. J. L. Greene & Son, Fre-

mont, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1881, and for the first two or three years practiced by himself, in Fremont. He then entered into partnership with Hon. J. T. Garver, and subsequently with Hon. Thomas McSheehy, of Fre- mont. Mr. O'Farrell is a well-known and popular attorney, and has built up a lucrative practice. He served for seven years as a member of the board of county school examiners, and has been actively identified with the best interests of the Democratic party in Sandusky county, for which he has served as delegate to various congressional and other conven- tions. He is, as were all his people, an ardent member of the Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of the C. M. B. A., and was State delegate from Ohio to that Association, at their Supreme Council in October, 1894.

Mr. O'Farrell married Miss Catharine O'Connor, who was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, May 23, 1859, a daughter of Bryan O'Connor, a well-known farmer of the county. Their children are James A., Bryan Francis, Henry Vincent, Ed- ward and Thomas.

W ILLIAM E. WORMAN, the obliging and efficient postmas- ter at Vickery, Townsend town- ship, Sandusky county, was born in Riley township, same county, September 27, 1864, and is a son of Conrad and Rosanna Worman.

Conrad Worman was born March 26, 1815, in the State of Ohio, of Pennsyl- vania parentage. He first married Miss Timmanus, by whom he had two chil- dren, one 'of whom is Mrs. Catherine McCreery, of Riley township. Mr. Wor- man, for his second wife, was married in 1850 to Miss Rosanna Daniels, born June 11, 1831, and of the children of this marriage-David, who now resides at Amsden, Seneca Co., Ohio, is the eld- est; the others being: Flora (deceased);

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three who died in infancy; Mary, now Mrs. Dr. H. E. Deemer, of Castalia, Erie Co., Ohio; Irvin, deceased; William E., the subject of this sketch; Eugene, deceased; A. C., of Riley township; and and Alvina, now Mrs. Thomas Graves, of Vickery. The parents of Mr. Wor- man's second wife came from New York State. Conrad Worman was a frugal, hard-working agriculturist, and his wife a helpmate worthy of the praise so freely bestowed upon her. Mr. Worman ended his labors here in March, 1892, and his wife followed him to the grave on Sep- tember I, of the succeeding year.

William E. Worman, our subject, at- tended the common school until man- hood, then taught two terms of school, after which he began farming, which he continued until 1890, He then came to Vickery and opened a general mercantile store. In November, 1893, he was ap- pointed postmaster, by President Cleve- land, vice Chauncey Daniels. He now has a flourishing trade, besides attending to Uncle Sam's postal matters. On Oc- tober 14, 1885, Mr. Worman was united in marriage with Nettie May Mosier, who was born February 14, 1866, in Riley township, and they have three children, namely: Howard Lee, born October 14. 1886; Alfred Conrad, April 6, 1890; and Flossie Dell, February 14, 1894. Mrs. W. E. Worman's mother, Mrs. Lottie M. Mosier, resides with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Worman. She was born in Riley township, November 22, 1835, and is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Story) Stull. In 1855 she was married to Jonathan Roberts, of Huron county, Ohio, and they have one child, Hiram, now living in Vickery. Mr. Roberts died in 1858 from injuries re- ceived by a tree falling on him. In 1861 she married James Watson, of New York, who was killed before Atlanta in 1864. Their children were Clara Louise, Con- rad and a boy who died. In 1865 the widow was married to Nelson S. Mosier, 53

of Michigan, and their children were: Nettie M. (Mrs. Worman), three who died in infancy, and Minnie A. (Mrs. John Smart, of Vickery).

H ENRY WONNELL, one of the enterprising and successful farm- ers and fruit growers of Portage township, Ottawa county, was born September 3, 1832, in the township which is still his home, and is a son of Parker and Leah (Pusey) Wonnell, both of whom were natives of Maryland. Mi- grating westward to Ohio, they took up their residence in Portage township, Ot- tawa county, in 1822, at which time this region was a vast wilderness. They con- tinued to reside in the township in which they located until called to the home be- yond, and were highly respected people. Both are now deceased, the mother pass- ing away in February, 1895. They were the parents of a family of six children, of whom four are still living, namely: Benjamin F., who is residing in Portage township, Ottawa county; Henry, subject of this sketch; Thomas who is living in Lakeside, Danbury township, same county; and Nancy, wife of Herman Inglebeck.

In presenting to our readers the life record of Henry Wonnel we feel assured that it will prove of interest to many, for he has a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintaces in his locality. Amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared to manhood, his education was obtained in the district schools, and his occupation since boyhood has been fishing and farm- ing. During the past twelve years he has carried on fruit growing in connection with agricultural pursuits, and this branch of his business has proved a profitable one. He raises fine varieties of fruits adapted to this climate, and his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision. Mr. Wonnell's labors were interrupted in October, 1862, when he was drafted for service in the

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United States army, but on reaching Cleveland he procured a substitute and returned to his home. In 1863 he enlisted in the one-hundred-days service, but again procured a substitute.

On December 24, 1859, Mr. Wonnell was united in marriage on Catawba Island, with Miss Clarissa Barss, a daughter of G. H. and Betsy (Turner) Barss. Her father is still living and resides on Ca- tawba Island, but her mother is now deceased. Mrs. Wonnell was born in Fulton county, N. Y., in September, 1837, and died August 19. 1894. She was the mother oi three children-Edgar G., who was born October 7, 1860, and resides in Portage county; Otis H., who was born March 24, 1862, and is living in Portage township, Ottawa county; and Etta, born September 10, 1867. Mr. Wonnell is a valued member of several fraternal or- ganizations, being connected with O. H: Perry Lodge No. 341, F. & A. M .; Port Clinton Lodge, I. O. O. F .; the Knights of Honor; and the Sons of Malta. In his political views he is a Republican, and the family attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. A wide-awake, pro- gressive citizen, he manifests a commend- able interest in all matters pertaining to the weltare of the county, and holds a high position in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He is numbered among the hon- ored pioneers of the county, and for over sixty years he has witnessed its growth and development, and aided in its progress and advancement.

W ILLIAM SCHROEDER, a pros- perous farmer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born in Hanover, Germany, April 6, 1832, son of Charles and Julia (Glaisecik) Schroeder.

Charles Schroeder was a shoemaker by trade. He came to America in 1842, and located in Woodville township, San- dusky Co., Ohio, where both he and his

wife died. William Schroeder attended a German school for a short time, then worked out for six years, after which he learned the carpenter's trade and followed same for five years. On February 28, 1857, William Schroeder was united in marriage with Mary Hurrelbrink, who was born in Woodville township, Sandus- ky county, November 22, 1839, and they have had ten children, as follows: Carl, born January 16, 1858, died March 6, 1858: Caroline, born March 21, 1859, married, and died in 1890 leaving three children; Sophia S., born November 17, 1867, married Henry Creger, of Wood- ville township; Ricca, born February 27, 1864, married John Bodelhein, and they live in Wood county; Henry A., born Oc- tober 13, 1866, lives in Woodville town- ship; Frederick H., born January 12, 1859, died January 28, 1869; Lucy, born March 8, 1870, married Joseph Over- meyer, of Wood county; Louis J., born November 22, 1873; John Henry, born October 5, 1875, and Herman J., born July 16, 1877.

Mr. Schroeder has 261 acres of very valuable land, situated in the oil district, on which he has twenty-one oil wells, the entire number giving a good yield. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been school director and road supervisor for several years. He attends the Lutheran Church.

G EORGE J. HUFFORD. In the history of Sandusky county this gentleman well deserves mention, for he is one of the leading and influential citizens of Washington town- ship, and is one of the native sons of the locality. His birth occurred in Sandusky township, Sandusky county, March 29, 1844. His parents, James and Harriet Hufford, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Sandusky county, at a day when settlements were widely scattered,

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and much of the land was still in its primitive condition, and when the work of progress and civilization seemed scarce- ly begun. They both lived to a ripe old age and reared a large family of children, most of whom still reside in this section of the State.

No event of special importance oc- curred during the boyhood and youth of George Hufford, he spending his time in the usual manner of farmer lads, attend- ing the district schools through the winter season and working in the fields during the summer months. Thus he early be- came familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and when he began business for himself his experi- ence was such as to make his career a successful one. He gave the benefit of his services to his father until twenty- three years of age, when he came to Washington township, where he has since made his home, successfully engaged in farming. About the time of his marriage he purchased his land, and his time and energies have since been de- voted to its cultivation. The fields are now well tilled, and he has added to the place many improvements, which stand as a monument to his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Hufford was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Nickles, daughter of Peter Nickles, and their home has been blessed with two children, a son and a daughter: John Franklin, born Decem- ber 31, 1871; and Rosa Belle, born Oc- tober 8, 1874. Both are still at home. The Hufford household is noted for its hospitality, and the members of the family have many warm friends throughont the community, holding a high position in the social circles in which they move. Our subject is a member of the Evangelical Church, and his political sympathies are with the principles advocated by the Peo- ple's party. Such is the life record of one of Sandusky county's native sons, and though it is not filled with events of an exciting nature, it cannot fail to be of in-

terest, as is the history of every man who does his duty to his country, himself and his fellow men.

M HEUMAN, who during his act- ive business career has become well known in Rocky Ridge, Ottawa county, as one of its progressive and esteemed citizens. was born August 5, 1866, in New Orleans, La., of German descent. David Heu- man, his father, was born in Germany, October 21, 1833, and in 1857 came to this country, settling at New Orleans, La., where he married Selina Kraemer, who was born in that city in 1844. They lived there until 1872, when they moved to Jackson, Mich., thence removing to Rocky Ridge, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where Mr. Heuman now has charge of his son's busi- ness. Mr. Heuman's grandparents were born in Prussia in 1800.

Our subject lived in the South until his seventh year, when he moved with his parents to Jackson, Mich. Here he lived for nine years, attending the public sshools of the city, in which he obtained a liberal education. Leaving Jackson in 1882 he came to Rocky Ridge and entered the store of Smith Bros., of Jackson, of which his father was the manager. He continued as clerk until 1889, when he bought out the entire business of the Smith Bros., manufacturers of lime and charcoal, which he now owns and operates. In 1890 Mr. Heuman opened the first livery stable in the place, with a full line of first-class rigs, and the establishment would do credit to a town of much larger proportions. In March, 1893, he sold out his store to L. A. Beatty, in order to take the position of traveling salesman with the Ohio Lime Company, of Toledo, of which he himself is a member. The home busi- ness he leaves in charge of his father. The people of Rocky Ridge have shown their high appreciation of Mr. Heuman's

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ability as a business man by electing him to various official positions: He was con- stable in Benton township for seven years. village marshal six years, and street com- missioner six years, holding all these po- sitions at the same time; for some time he was clerk of the board of education of Rocky Ridge, and is now clerk of the board of health of the village. At the last village election he was also elected a mem- ber of the village council. Mr. Heuman is a member of the following fraternities: I. O. O. F., Daughters of Rebekah (to which his wife also belongs) Knights of Pythias and K. O. T. M., at present holding the position of district deputy grand master of Ottawa county in the I. O. O. F. Politically Mr. Heuman has always been a Democrat. He takes a great in- terest in base ball.

On October 23, 1889, Mr. Heuman was married to Miss Fanny Weiger, of Jackson, Mich. He had a fine home erected and nicely furnished, to which to bring his bride, and they took up their residence therein immediately after their marriage. To their union has come one child, Leon Russell, born November 25, 1893. Mrs. Fannie (Weiger) Heuman was born at Treves, Prussia, March 26, 1867, and when a child came to America with her parents, who settled in Jackson, Mich., where she lived until her marriage, attending the public schools and obtaining a liberal education. For five years pre- vious to her marriage she was clerk for Mrs. M. Freeman, of Jackson, in the mil- linery business, where she also learned the trade, and for three years she was also clerk for the dry-goods firm of Toumey Bros., of Jackson. On settling in Rocky Ridge Mrs. Heuman very soon entered into the millincry business, in which she still continues. It may truly be said of Mr. and Mrs. Heuman, "They are busi- ness," for both are possessed of remarka- ble business ability, which they have never allowed to lessen for want of exercise. Mrs. Heuman's parents, Moses and Kat-

rina Weiger, were born in Germany, the father March 29, 1837, the mother Janu- ary 4, 1840. They are now living in Jack- son, Mich., where he is engaged in the jewelry business.

A DAM HUMBURG is one of the worthy citizens that the Father- land has furnished to Sandusky county. He was born in Hessen, Germany, on September 3, 1856, and is a son of John and Martha (Hoopfelt) Humburg, who were natives of the same country. They were the parents of the following named children: Eliza, de- ceased wife of Mr. Killen, a farmer of Oklahoma; Adam, whose name introduces this sketch; John, who is engaged in farming in Oklahoma; Marie, wife of J. Brewnor, who is living in Hanover, Ger- many; Lizzie, wife of H. Weaver, of Ok- lahoma; and August. The parents re- mained in their native land until 1886, when they bade adieu to home and friends and crossed the ocean to the New World, locating in Oklahoma. They are still living, now well advanced in years, the father having been born June 6, 1820, while the mother's birth occurred in the year 1828.

Adam Humburg spent the first seven- teen years of his life in the land of his nativity, and its public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He then determined to come to America, and setting sail he landed on August 7, 1873, at Castle Garden. His destination was Ohio, whither he immediately made his way, and since that time his home has been in Sandusky county. He had no capital with which to purchase property, and in consequence secured a position with others, working for a few years on the farm of Henry Rowell, for a small salary. He then entered the employ of John Artz, with whom he remained for nine years, a trusted and faithful employe. The succeeding three years of his life

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were spent in the service of George King and Mr. Kiser, in the capacity of field hand. On the expiration of that period he paid a three-months' visit to his native land.

Upon his return from Germany Mr. Humburg was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Kiser, daughter of one of the wealthiest farmers of the county, and their union has been blessed with a fam- ily of seven children, all of whom are still under the parental roof, namely: Martha, Willie, Emma, Clara, Franklin, Chester and Lucy. Mr. Humburg is an ardent member of the Reformed Church, and does all in his power to promote its growth and upbuilding. In his political views he is a Democrat, but has no time for office-seeking, preferring to give his entire attention to his business interests. He is a wide-awake and enterprising man, and has achieved success by earnest effort.

F RED EMCH, a well-known and popular citizen of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born in Switzerland September 17, 1831, and is a son of Urs and Eliza- beth (Baumgartner) Emch.

Urs and Elizabeth (Baumgartner) Emch were the parents of ten children, as follows: Anna lived in Switzerland and died there; Benjamin died in May, 1884; Elizabeth married Ben Messer, and they had three children (she lived and died in Switzerland); John, a farmer in Wood county, Ohio, married Mary Weiss, and they had thirteen children (he died in 1876); Nicholas, a farmer of Woodville township, sketch of whom will be found at page 319; Urs, Jr., who lives in Woodville township, married Annie Eisch, and they had six children; two children died in infancy; and Fred is the subject of this sketch. Urs Emch, the father, died in Switzerland in 1835, at the age of forty-five years. In 1845 his widow came to America with her children,

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Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 123

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040